Member-only story

The 1960 Open: A Legendary Golf Championship

Rod Ward

·15k Followers· Follow

Published in Golf S Greatest Championship: The 1960 U S Open

5 min read

345 View Claps

50 Respond

Save

Listen

The 1960 Open Championship, held at St Andrews in Scotland, stands as one of the most iconic and memorable events in golf history. With a field of legendary golfers and a thrilling finish, the tournament etched itself into the annals of the sport forever.

The Contenders

The 1960 Open drew a stellar lineup of players, including some of the greatest names in golf history. Among them were:

Golf's Greatest Championship: The 1960 U.S. Open

by Julian I. Graubart

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
File size	:	1433 KB
Print length	:	291 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Gary Player: The reigning Open champion and a rising star in the game.
Arnold Palmer: The charismatic American known as "The King," who would go on to become one of the most celebrated golfers ever.
Kel Nagle: The Australian who had won the 1958 Open.
Peter Thomson: The five-time Open champion from Australia.
Bobby Locke: The South African legend who had won four Open Championships in the 1940s.

The Course

The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most challenging and revered courses in the world. With its undulating greens, deep bunkers, and unpredictable winds, the course tests even the most skilled golfers.

For the 1960 Open, the course was set up to be particularly demanding. The rough was thick and lush, and the greens were firm and fast. This meant that players had to be accurate off the tee and precise with their approach shots.

The Championship

The tournament was played over four rounds of 18 holes. After the first two rounds, Player and Nagle were tied for the lead at 141. Palmer was just one stroke behind, while Thomson was two strokes back.

In the third round, Player shot a 67 to take a two-stroke lead over Nagle and Palmer. Thomson remained in contention, but he was four strokes off the lead.

On the final day, Player continued to play superbly. He birdied the first hole and extended his lead to three strokes. Nagle and Palmer both played well, but they could not catch Player.

In the end, Player cruised to victory with a four-stroke margin over Nagle. Palmer finished third, while Thomson tied for fourth.

The Finish

The finish of the 1960 Open is one of the most memorable in golf history. Player hit a magnificent drive on the 18th hole, leaving him with a short approach shot to the green.

Player's approach shot landed just short of the green, but it bounced forward and rolled to within a few feet of the hole. Player then calmly sank the putt for birdie and the championship.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Player raised the Claret Jug, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Open Championship. It was a triumphant moment for Player, who had become the first South African to win the Open.

The Legacy

The 1960 Open is remembered as one of the greatest golf championships ever played. It was a tournament that featured some of the greatest players in the world and produced a thrilling finish that will never be forgotten.

Player's victory at St Andrews was a watershed moment in South African golf. It inspired a new generation of golfers in his country and helped to raise the profile of the sport on the world stage.

The 1960 Open also played a significant role in the development of golf as a global sport. The tournament was televised around the world, and it helped to introduce the game to new audiences.

Today, the 1960 Open is considered one of the most iconic events in golf history. It is a tournament that is still talked about and celebrated by golf fans around the world.

The 1960 Open Championship was a truly unforgettable event. With a stellar field of players, a challenging course, and a thrilling finish, the tournament left a lasting mark on the sport of golf.

Player's victory at St Andrews was a triumph for South African golf and helped to inspire a new generation of golfers. The tournament also played a significant role in the development of golf as a global sport.

The 1960 Open will continue to be remembered as one of the greatest golf championships ever played. It is a tournament that will forever be etched in the annals of the sport.

Golf's Greatest Championship: The 1960 U.S. Open

by Julian I. Graubart

4.4 out of 5